§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on parking concessions available to disabled people in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Carter:There are two concessionary schemes operated in Northern Ireland to assist disabled drivers, one by the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment and the other by the Health and Social Service Boards. In both schemes badges or certificates are issued to disabled drivers to enable them to park in most areas where waiting restrictions are in force—subject to the right of the 154W police to request the removal of a vehicle for traffic reasons. The schemes are concessionary, conferring no legal rights on the holder of the badge or certificate. Existing security restrictions on parking in urban areas inevitably limit the scope of these concessions. There are no powers in Northern Ireland similar to those in the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, but I hope to make proposals for legislation to amend the Road Traffic Act (NI) 1970 to enable the granting of parking concessions to disabled persons similar to those operating under the Orange badge scheme in Great Britain. It will be appreciated that the security situation could affect the implementation of any such new provisions.